(Newser)
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President Obama pushed Chinese President Xi Jinping to do more to address the online theft of US intellectual and other property coming from his country and said the hacking is "inconsistent with the kind of relationship we want to have with China," a top White House aide said. Obama national security adviser Tom Donilon said discussion of cybersecurity took up much of today's morning meeting between the two leaders, which ended with few policy breakthroughs but the prospect of stronger personal ties. Donilon said Obama described in detail instances of hacking against US companies by entities in China and said the US didn't have any doubt who was behind them.

"The president underscored that resolving this issue was really key to future economic US-China relations," Donilon told reporters after about eight hours of meetings yesterday and today. The gathering at the sprawling Sunnylands estate in the California desert was their first meeting since Xi took office in March. Xi's senior foreign policy adviser, Yang Jiechi, told reporters that cybersecurity shouldn't be the cause of friction but an area of cooperation for two nations that face similar challenges. He said the two leaders "blazed a new trail" away from the two nations' past differences in the summit and "talked about cooperation and did not shy away from differences."

I can almost hear the conversation now (been in a few trade mark infringement meetings myself). Pres. Obama: "So Mr. Jang, why are hackers based in your country stealing our military secrets?" Mr. Jangping: "Oh no, no Mr. Obama we had nothing to do with this, big conspiracy against China." Obama: "No, no Mr. Jang... we traced the IP servers back to a company associated directly with your government." Mr. Jangping: "Hmm...well. China love America, your country make us rich. We business partners and need American money flowing. You make us happy, we make you happy. Obama: Mr. Jang, we will not tolerate this type of behavior, we won't. Mr. Jangping: Ok, Ok...Mr. President we make you happy. You come for visit, we make a table, make every one happy. Later drink Scotch and watch latest video about new Chinese Nuclear Submarine. Ok? Ok.

1freeusa

Jun 9, 2013 8:47 PM CDT

Obama pushing Jinping on spying is like the pot calling the kettle black.